About Us The Mershon Center for International Security Studies fosters interdisciplinary faculty and student research on national security in a global context. It is the fulfillment of a bequest by Col. Ralph D. Mershon to The Ohio State University for the exploration of matters pertaining to national security. The Mershon Center is also supported by community gifts and grant funds. It is a unit of the Office of International Affairs.

Mission The mission of the Mershon Center for International Security Studies is to advance the understanding of national security in a global context. The center does this by fostering research in three areas of focus: • The use of force and diplomacy. • The identity, the ideas, identities, and decisional processes that affect security. • The institutions that manage violent conflict.

Leadership The Mershon Center for International Security Studies is directed by Christopher Gelpi, Chair of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. Gelpi reports to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and to a provost-appointed Oversight Committee.

Endowed Chairs The Mershon Center for International Security Studies promotes the recruitment and retention of distinguished faculty members who spearhead important research and educate the next generation on issues related to national security in a global context. The center does this by supporting several endowed positions including three chairs: • Gen. Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair in Military History • Wayne Woodrow Hayes Chair in National Security Studies • Chair in Peace Studies

Furniss Book Award Since 1983, the Mershon Center for International Security Studies has been giving the Edgar S. Furniss Book Award to an author whose first book makes an exceptional contribution to the study of national and international security. The award commemorates the founding director of the Mershon Center, Edgar S. Furniss. The winning author receives a cash award and is invited to address the faculty of the Mershon Center. Past winners include prominent international security scholars such as John Mearsheimer, Barry Posen, and Stephen Walt.